John Granville Cornwallis Eliot: Accident and Illness
John was the third child and second son of Henry Eliot and Emily Labouchere, known to family and friends as Mousie.
On 8 Apr 1921, Mousie was seriously injured in a fall at the Wrangaton Point-to-Point Races. He suffered with a crushed pelvis and internal injuries, injuries that led to his death the following year.
The following newspaper-article transcriptions appear in chronological order.
— "Western Morning News" 9 Apr 1921, page 4:
EARL OF ST. GERMANS SUSTAINS SERIOUS
INJURIES AT DARTMOOR CHASES.
An Accident befell the Earl of St. Germans whilst competing in the Dartmoor Hunt Point-to-Point races at Wrangaton yesterday. His lordship had entered two of his horses, Harkaway, in the Dartmoor and Adjoining Hunts heavy-weight race, and Dusky, in the Dartmoor and Adjoining Hunts light-weight race.
It was in the heavy-weight race, the opening event of the meeting, that his lordship came to grief. After covering half the course of three miles, his mount, Harkaway, failed to negotiate a jump and threw his lordship.
Col. J.W. Gill, of St. Germans, went to the Earl's assistance, and after first-aid had been rendered by Messrs. W.T. Lucitt and W. Wooldridge, of the George-street (Plymouth) Ambulance Corps, his lordship was removed from the course on a stretcher, and conveyed to St. Germans by a special train, Col. Gill, a retired doctor, travelling with him; and thence by ambulance to Penmadown, his lordship's temporary residence.
Here the Earl was attended by Drs. Harman and Gill, while Dr. Robinson, of Plymouth, was consulted. His lordship's injuries are more grave than at first anticipated. His horse fell on him and his pelvis was badly crushed. His condition is regarded as serious.
— "Western Morning News" 11 Apr 1921, page 4:
PROGRESS AS FAVOURABLE AS CAN BE EXPECTED
The latest reports indicate that the Earl of St. Germans is progressing quite as well as can be expected after his serious accident at the Dartmoor Hunt Point-to-Point Races at Wrangaton on Friday.
On Friday night an operation was performed by Drs. Robinson and Harman, and on Saturday, Sir Alfred Fripp (London), the eminent surgeon, visited his lordship for consultation and a further operation. Unless unexpected complications ensue, the medical advisers are hopeful of his lordship's recovery, but on account of the serious nature of his injuries progress will be anything but rapid.
His lordship passed a fairly comfortable night on Saturday, and his condition yesterday was favourable. On inquiry last night we were informed that his lordship had been as comfortable during the day as could be expected, and was progressing satisfactorily.
His lordship wishes to thank all those who so kindly rendered assistance to him on the course at Wrangaton, and in helping to convey him to the station, also from St. Germans Station to Penmadown. As the earl is Master of the East Cornwall Hunt, all announced meets of these hounds are cancelled.
— "Exeter and Plymouth Gazette" 11 Apr 1921, page 6:
The Earl of St. Germans, who sustained a fractured pelvis by a fall at Wrangaton Point-to-Point Races, was operated upon on Friday, and again on Saturday. His lordship is making progress, but recovery must necessarily be slow.
— "Western Morning News" 12 Apr 1921, page 4:
MORE COMFORTABLE YESTERDAY AFTER RESTLESS NIGHT.
The Earl of St. Germans passed rather a restless night on Sunday, but was much more comfortable yesterday evening. An X-ray examination by Dr. Melrose has revealed extensive injuries to the pelvis.
At a late hour last night we were informed that the Earl's condition remained unchanged. As his lordship is captain of the Cricket Club, the dance in connection with the club, arranged for Friday next, has been postponed.
As the owners of the coats which were lent in connection with the removal of the earl from Wrangaton are not known, the coats have been deposited at the office of Mr. Frank Hawker, George-street, Plymouth, from where they will be returned on application.
— "Western Morning News" 19 Apr 1921, page 4:
The Earl of St. Germans had a rather poor night on Sunday and not very comfortable day yesterday, his cough being still troublesome.
— "Cornishman" 20 Apr 1921, page 6:
The Earl of St. Germans had rather a restless night on Thursday, and Friday was troubled with an irritating cough. His lordship, however, is getting on as well as can be expected.
— "Western Morning News" 23 May 1921, page 4:
OUT FOR FIRST TIME SINCE ACCIDENT. The Earl of St. Germans underwent a minor operation on Thursday, and he benefited considerably by it. On Saturday his lordship spent a short time out of doors, this being the first occasion he has done so since his accident early in April.
— "Western Morning News" 24 May 1921, page 4:
SYMPATHY OF YEALMPTON AGRICULTURISTS.
The Earl of St. Germans passed a favourable night on Sunday, and had a good day yesterday. On the proposition of the Chairman, Vice-Admiral J. De M. Hutchinson, the committee of Yealmpton Agricultural Association yesterday passed a resolution of sympathy with the Earl of St. Germans, and expressed the hope that he would soon be restored to health. The Earl was to have been one of the judges of horses at the association's annual show next month.
— "Gloucestershire Echo" 26 May 1921, page 5:
The Earl of St. Germans has derived considerable benefit from a minor operation he underwent last week, and he has been able to go out of doors.
— "Western Morning News" 6 Jun 1921, page 4:
EARL OF ST. GERMANS.
VISIT TO LONDON FOR SPECIAL TREATMENT.
As the Earl of St. Germans has not been so well during the past few days, he proceeded to a nursing home in London yesterday for special treatment.
— "Western Morning News" 7 Jun 1921, page 4:
SUCCESSFUL OPERATION BY SIR ALFRED FRIPP.
The Earl of St. Germans underwent an operation at the Netley House Nursing Home, Henrietta-street, Marylebone, yesterday afternoon. The operation, which was performed by Sir Alfred Fripp, was satisfactory. The patient is very comfortable, and there are good hopes that the result will be entirely satisfactory.
— "Yorkshire Post" 14 Jun 1921, page 6:
The Earl of St. Germans has been moved from St. Germans, Cornwall, to a nursing home in London, owing to complications caused by his recent severe accident.
— "Western Morning News" 21 Jul 1921, page 4:
The Earl of St. Germans returned to St. Germans yesterday from London. His lordship has benefited very considerably from his visit to London, and is able now to walk short distances.
— "Western Morning News" 2 Aug 1921, page 4:
The Earl of St. Germans, as patron, attended the annual show of the St. Germans Amateur and Cottage Garden Society yesterday, in the grounds of Port Eliot. His lordship is steadily recovering from his serious fall at Wrangaton Point-to-Point Races last spring, and, with the aid of a stick, was able to walk about the grounds and inspect the exhibits. He received a cordial welcome from many of his tenants, and assured them that he was "going on very well now."
— "Sheffield Independent" 5 Nov 1921, page 4:
The Dowager Countess of St. Germans will return to London early next month from Port Eliot, where she is staying with the Earl of St. Germans who is now making some progress towards recovery from his recent severe illness.
— "Western Morning News" 3 Dec 1921, page 4:
The Earl of St. Germans underwent an operation at Penmadown yesterday, and late last evening was progressing favourably.
— "Gloucestershire Echo" 10 Dec 1921, page 5:
The Earl of St. Germans, who had rather a bad relapse last week, is very much better, and is steadily improving after the very serious accident he had last year while steeplechasing. Lord St. Germans married in 1918 Lady Blanche Somerset, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Beaufort. They live mostly at Port Eliot, their place in Cornwall, and have two children.
— "Western Morning News" 16 Dec 1921, page 4:
The Earl of St. Germans, who has lately made considerable improvement in health, will leave Port Eliot at the end of the week with the Countess of St. Germans to visit the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort at Badminton.
— "Gloucestershire Echo" 11 Feb 1922, page 5:
The Earl of St. Germans, who is much improved in health, has been advised by his doctors to take a sea voyage, and is shortly leaving for South Africa, remaining there for a week or two before taking the voyage home.
— "Cheltenham Chronicle" 11 Mar 1922, page 2:
The Earl of St. Germans, who has gone to South Africa, is to be the guest of Prince and Princess Arthur of Connaught while he is out there. While riding in some West Country steeplechases last year Lord St. Germans was thrown and very badly injured through his horse rolling on him. For a time his life was despaired of, but though he got over the effects of the accident he had to undergo another operation, and has never fully recovered his strength.
